is lamium a good ground cover? is lamium a good ground cover?

It grows low to the ground, making it a good alternative to grass in just about any climate. Imagine sky blue flowers popping up in and around your shade garden in the springtime, swaying in the slightest breeze, rising above a carpet of Canadian wild ginger or lamium (see below). Charismatic Planet 2022. Though many annual flowers can be used for ground coverings, it can be laborious to replant large swaths of coverings yearly. In fact, beware of this potentially invasive ground cover, especially if you live near a forest. Spotted deadnettle. Many use the ground cover to define the borders of garden paths. Lamium groundcovers are the right choice for High Mountain, shady gardens. Another bonus is that it is common and considered one of the cheapest ground covering plants. The leaves are fairly small, about one inch in diameter. Its not often that a plant is classified as an evergreen ground cover, a trailing plant for containers and a houseplant. One of the most popular is Carex pensylvanica, commonly known as oak sedge, and it can be found across the eastern half of North America. But beware: This hardy opportunist, if left unchecked, can become unsightly and sometimes invasive. Mulching and weeding to prevent unwanted sprouts from stealing water from these low-maintenance succulents, and you can enjoy the cheery color of this low growing ground cover year-round, with a number of varieties to choose from. It is evergreen, but some of the leaves may turn brown during winter. RELATED: 30 Plants for Your Easiest Garden Ever. Creeping liriope plants make low-maintenance, tough, and drought-tolerant ground covers with spikey flowers and grass-like foliage. Lamium covers well and adds colorful flowers, foliage and texture. Ground Cover Dogwood. This plant is deciduous in areas where there is colder weather but stays semi-evergreen in other regions. But its attractive variegated foliage spreads out to two or three times its height. Choose plants that are hardy to USDA zones 2 to 4. As lovely a ground cover as it seems, it's also considered invasive and is toxic to pets. Its a relative of mint, so its guaranteed to spread, and its hardy in the cold of Zone 3 but can take heat up to Zone 8. While this glossy, strappy green is popular in the southern states, it can survive anywhere. I simply pick the seedlings if they pop up where I don't want them. It has a stripe down the middle that can be white, yellow, red, or silver. It spreadsby reseeding, but it never will spread enough to become a problem. Because the common name is often given as spotted dead nettle. If it grows outside its pounds, trim it off or transplant a branch. This common weedy plant is a member of the mint family and forms early groundcover mats, with fuzzy . The ground has only recently thawed and most are waiting for just the right amount of consistent warmth and moisture before coming up. Lamium is rarely troubled by disease and is generally pest-free. Commonly used as a ground cover in the shade garden, spotted dead nettle is short- Dead nettle, also known as Lamium, is a low-growing perennial with silver-splashed leaves and bursts of purple, pink, or white flowers that pop up in spring and early summer. And beware that it is considered invasive in some areas of the Northeast and Northwest. Lamium (Deadnettle) Wonderful as ground cover in a shady area, Spotted deadnettle ( Lamium maculatum) can cover large areas quickly, prevailing in the most unforgiving of conditions. It likes full sun. Try some honeysuckle! Plant liriope any time for quick growth and spreading. Keep weeds at bay with spreading plants in your garden. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Mature plants that have gotten "leggy" should be cut down to just above the ground, which then will grow back into a bushy, compact plant. Hortster. The little silver leaves of lamium are like bits of glitter strewn about the garden floor, reflecting any dappled sunlight that finds them. And remember that although these ground cover plants are extremely tolerant, they still need to be watered during dry spells for the first year or two until their root systems are well-established. This easy-care ground cover provides colors of purple, white pink and shades of light red. plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Its off the menu for deer and rabbits, but a feast for pollinating bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Lamium is evergreen from Zone 6 south. Any solid green leaves should be snipped out, otherwise, the plant will eventually lose the variegated leaves and become all green. Whats more, it requires relatively little maintenance, and it resists deer and other critters. It can cover large areas if you let it, so take care to find a place where its spreading tendency will be welcomed. The spotted dead nettle plant is listed as invasive in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States and is located mainly in the upper eastern states. Spotted deadnettle ground cover grows about 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) Scott Little. 16 inches apart for coverage in two seasons. Type above and press Enter to search. A member of the mint family, Lamium spreads quickly, is self-seeding, and will rapidly create a ground cover wherever it is planted. 5. Our wide range of perennial groundcovers are ideal for those spots in the garden where grass isn't wantedon banks, under trees or across large areas of the border. Look for varieties like Ghost that are heavily silvered and really brighten up lightly to densely shaded spaces. Common or Western yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is native to North America and can be found throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Look for the distinctive crook at the top of the stem to identify this species. This native ground cover is as useful as it is pretty, acting as the larval host of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly and as a weed suppressing ground cover. Another method of control some gardeners use is placing saucers of stale beer among their plants, with the lip of the container at ground level. The foliage is evergreen and the 3-inch-high plant trails or spreads, favoring gravel and other sunny, dry conditions in zones 5 through 9. The horizontally-spreading branches of creeping junipers make a dense mat that weeds cant penetrate. Growing and Harvesting a Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus). However, slugs and snails may be occasional visitors. It can even thrive in the acidic conditions under large pine trees. The promise is that Lamiums are fast-growing perennial ground cover or container plants that brighten partly sunny spots and produce charming flowers. It likes full sun, but can tolerate part shade. When planted in groups, heuchera works well as a ground cover or along garden edging. Swallowtail butterflies, hummingbird moths and hummingbirds are all fans. She was Features Copy Desk chief before becoming the first full-time garden editor for the paper in 1988. Its cheerful bright lilac pink flowers add whimsy to the garden from early summer through midsummer. But with hardy plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), youll enjoy a carpet of cerulean blue blooms every year from late summer to frost. Want to lure hummingbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife to your garden? Spotted dead nettles propagate easily by themselves from runners, by dividing, or from cuttings. Society garlic can also tolerate dry conditions. Species can be annuals or perennials, with many valued for their ground cover abilities, pollinator-friendly flowers and preference of shady areas. Choose native common yarrow. Its dense mats are threatening native plants on forest floors. In zones 6 through 8, it remains evergreen most of the year. It spreads via rhizomes, a trait that can be a double-edged sword. Lamium maculatum (white nettle, pink pewter, and spotted nettle) Lamium galeobdolon . Getting Started .css-lwn4i5{display:block;font-family:Neutra,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-0.01rem;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;text-align:center;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-lwn4i5:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-lwn4i5{font-size:1.375rem;line-height:1.1;}}9 Best Gardening Subscription Boxes 2023, 20 Best Tall Indoor Plants to Shop Online, 85 Surprising Flower Meanings With Pictures. Spotted Dead Nettle is an excellent ground cover plant because of its flowers and its spreading growth habit. Fix your gardens trouble spots with these low-growing perennials, annuals, and shrubs. It's also toxic to humans and pets. Lamium is a fast-growing perennial ground cover that deer and rabbits avoid. In spring, tiny white flowers add to its ethereal beauty. Read our. When planted in full sun it usually needs extra watering, at least until the plant is well established. Soft, aromatic creeping thyme seems to check off all the boxes for a gardener, plus more. Select Delosperma floribundum'Starburst', a mat-forming cultivar with pink flowers and white centers for zones 6 to 8. The plant's multicolored leaves and tiny pastel flowers look attractive by themselves along a walkway or mingled. The silvery foliage of theseshade plantsmakes them a good fit for landscape designs with creative color schemes. Lamium, or dead nettle, is a perennial ground cover, often with variegation. Hostas are definitely not deer-resistant but they are toxic to other animals. Locate where the runners have rooted themselves into the ground. Original Author. Candytuft is a ground-hugging, clumping, and flowering perennial that dies back each winter and rebounds each spring and early summer. Overall, the plant is shaggy and short. Its variegated leaves and colorful spring flowers make Lamium a reliable choice for brightening shady garden spots where few other perennials will grow. It spreads well, but is easy to manage. The low-lying ground cover is a popular option as a filler for rock gardens or as an accent above retaining walls. Farther north, it can take increasing sunlight. Stinging nettles also grow quite tall. Add compost if you have clayey soil to improve drainage. See this plant in the following landscapes: Wild Side- A Shady Garden Cultivars / Varieties: 'Album' Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon 'Hermann's Pride', Zones 4-8) is one of the fastest-growing ground covers. Read our, Amethyst in Snow (Centaurea montana 'Amethyst in Snow'), 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, 35 Types of Orange Flowers: Identification & Photos, 15 Best Plants for Drought-Tolerant Gardens, Angelina Sedum (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina'), Rock Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis), Chinese lantern is also considered invasive. Leadwort begins blooming in late summer with beautiful, electric-blue flowers and continues until the first frost. Flowering Plants for Bare Garden Spots - Ground Cover Dogwood. Just like the name implies, the fuzzy silver leaves resemble lamb's ears. In ideal sunny conditions, Amethyst in Snow will spread quite quickly, but you can control it easily by pulling out stray shoots. This species of plumbago is cold hardy to USDA Zone 5, but will survive winter better if you cover it with a light mulch, or if theres snow cover. Despite its vigorous growth, it's not considered invasive. It is native to New Zealand and invasive in some areas, though its spread has not been out of control. It is far too unattractive a little for this low-growing carpet of leaves. Like sedges, many different types of asters that will grow in partial shade to full shade. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. And Beacon Silver has pink flowers and silvery leaves. Noteworthy Characteristics Lamium maculatum, commonly called spotted deadnettle, is native to Europe and North Africa to West Asia. Note that Lenten rose is toxic to animals. This plant forms a ground-hugging mat topped with wispy white flowers that flutter atop 15-inch-tall stems in late spring to early summer. Aside from good exposure to sunlight, these leafy green clusters ask little of their gardener with no need to replant every season. She is married to photographer John Everett and they have one son. Reaches 3 to 9 inches tall with a spread of 6 to 12 inches. Many plant species from the genus Sedum are native to North America. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. It forms a dense, 8- to 12 . . Ivy is invasive and toxic to humans and animals but the charm it can lend to a yard can't be beat. It grows in little clumps, likes moist soil, and prefers full to part sun. Lamb's Ear. Going to google creeping jenny. Yellow Archangel Botanical Name: Lamium galeobdolon Ajuga spreads rapidly in varying conditions, tolerating shade or sun. This is a large plant with a horizontal growth habit (thus its species name). 15. Lamium needs shade and a fertile, moist but well-draining soil. They thrive in or out of sunlight, and they seem to multiply on their own thanks to their rhizomatous roots. There are so many options to choose from, including old favorites like Pachysandra and Vinca, as well as small shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Here are our top 15 ground covers for shaded areas. In addition to making your garden look good, lithodora is a useful ally: The plant works as a natural deer repellent (the animals dislike the taste of the flowers) and helps control erosion. They are tough and their easy-going adaptability to a wide variety of rocky slopes, clay, and alkaline soils keep them comfortable in the west. The opposite leaves are silvery green with large silver blotches on the upper surface, lightening up a dark shady area. No special soil is needed for it to flourish and reseed. Those fleshy, bluish-green leaves help retain what little water it receives. Also known as lonicera, honeysuckle is an aromatic perennial that blooms with white, yellow, or red flowers in the spring and summer. However, creeping ground coverings tend to spread the fastest. book to class, Report: Houston ranked No. Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. Infinitely touchable, the velvety, fuzzy foliage of this plant is aptly named (c'mon, just look at it). Push the bare part of the branch into the soil at the desired location and water. Lamium is an excellent ground cover for shade. Spotted Dead Nettle ( Lamium maculatum) is a flowering type of low growing ground cover plant that thrives in the shade. Growing only about 3 inches tall, this plant spreads over time, crowding out weeds and thus reducing maintenance further. This type of evergreen comes in an array of shapes and sizes. `Katie' ruellia is a good ground cover for sun or shade. The low-lying, flowering ground coverit grows no more than 4 inches tallcan endure being stepped and stomped on, making it a smart choice for planting between pavers or for replacing grass. On top of all that, with proper care the plant can last 5 to 6 years, during which time you can harvest your own fresh thyme. Plus, each is interesting enough to enhance your surroundings more than an ordinary carpet of grass. If you are looking for a tenacious ground cover that will stare in the face of drought while living in dry, sandy soil in a shady area, either shadara's violets or yellow archangel or bishop's weed should work. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A popular climbing vine, English ivy will creep along to cover the ground if you let it, and thrives in the shade. Little Moonshine, for example, reaches about 10 inches high when in bloom; Greek yarrow has lower height and gray-green foliage. Here are a few varieties to consider. Select a branch and cut it off the plant. If the hill is big, remove the grass in stages so as not to take unnecessary chances with erosion. It flowers best in full sun. Lawns also are considered ground covers, but may require more moisture, sunlight, fertilizer and maintenance than other ground cover choices. Lamium A great solution for ground cover in a shaded area until it takes over in 5 years. Prepare a bed on the sandy, well-drained soil under 6-12 inches depth and plant the seedlings 18 inches apart in the late afternoon. Native to Africa, purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) became popular as a cold-hardy ground cover in the United States in the 1990s. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. You might not think of oregano as a ground cover, but this herb forms dense clumps of scented foliage. Plant this deer- and rabbit-resistant herb in the spring and its fuzzy leaves will cover large areas by autumn. In fact, they are one of the best perennials for shade. Don't site near small plants which may be overtaken. Roger Clemens makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, This is how astronauts see Houston, Texas Gulf from space with unaided eyes, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards, Here's what Lina Hidalgo carb-loads before a long run, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Houston police ticket man for feeding homeless people, Texas Republican wants to ban access to abortion websites. General description Fast-growing perennial ground cover that may be either trailing or upright depending on conditions. That kind doesnt make a good ground cover and needs lots of sun to grow well. It even takes on the terribly invasive Garlic Mustard. Eventually, they will form a mat. Lamium plants are a perfect deer resistant groundcover to brighten a partly sunny to semi-shady spot.